Earring apparatus

ABSTRACT

The earring apparatus forms a post for attachment to an earring to attach an earring to a wearer&#39;s ear. The post includes a generally straight first portion of sufficient length to extend through a wearer&#39;s earlobe. The post further includes a second portion extending downwardly at an angle to the straight portion and is of sufficient length to touch the wearer&#39;s earlobe and prevent the straight portion from slipping out of the earlobe. Preferably, the second portion curves to form a U-shaped loop and ends in a straight third portion. Preferably, the first, second and third portions lie in substantially the same plane which facilitates insertion of the post through the pierced earlobe since the earring post is inserted with a simple up and down motion and does not require twisting. When the post is inserted, the second portion engages the earlobe below the piercing and prevents the post from falling out.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/592,652 filed on Jul. 30, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and this patent application is a continuation of and also claims priority from International Application Serial No. PCT/1B2005/003318 filed on Jul. 29, 2005, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates to earrings and particularly to earring retaining devices for use with earrings for pierced ears.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Earring retainers for pierced ears take many forms, the most common being a straight post extending from the ornamental portion of the earring straight through the pierced ear lobe portion and a clasp of a larger size than the opening created by the piercing for retaining the post portion in place extending through the opening and inhibiting the post from slipping out. It is a common occurrence for the clasps to slide off the post while the earring is worn resulting in the earring post sliding out and the earring being lost. An alternative to using a clasp is an elongated wire, but this form of retainer does not keep the ornament stabilized and tight to the wearer's ear and tends to balance toward the front of the ear leading to a less aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Hence, there exists a significant need for an earring retaining device which overcomes the substantial and inherent disadvantages of the prior art.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an earring post having means to retain the earring on the ear of the wearer without the use of a separate clasp element;

Another object of the invention is to provide an earring post which is easy to attach to the wearer's ear;

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an earring post which will support heavy drop style earrings without a clasp.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an earring post which will position the earring securely and works well with stretched or torn ear holes to maintain the earring securely to the ear.

In summary, the earring apparatus forms a post for attachment to an earring to attach an earring to a wearer's ear. For ease of description, the use of the apparatus will be describe in relationship to a wearer's earlobe, although it will be understood by those skilled in the art that earrings are commonly attached at other portions of the ear and the same principles will apply. The post includes a generally straight first portion of sufficient length to extend through a wearer's earlobe. The post further includes a second portion extending downwardly at an angle to the straight portion and is of sufficient length to touch the wearer's earlobe and prevent the straight portion from slipping out of the earlobe. Preferably, the second portion curves to form a U-shaped loop and ends in a straight third portion. Preferably, the first, second and third portions lie in substantially the same plane which facilitates insertion of the post through the pierced earlobe since the earring post is inserted with a simple up and down motion and does not require twisting. When the post is inserted, the second portion engages the earlobe below the piercing and prevents the post from falling out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an earring have a post as contemplated by a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the earring of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the earring of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing an earlobe in phantom;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of an earring having a post;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a third embodiment of an earring having a post;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of an earring having a post;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of an earring having a post; and,

FIGS. 8 through 13 show the sixth through eleventh embodiments of an earring having a post.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3 show an earring 10 having an ornament 12 attached to a post 14. The post 14 may be used with any style of ornament 12. The post 14 is generally formed of metal wire or other thin but substantially rigid material and preferably includes a first end 16 which is securely attached to the ornament 12. Extending from the first end 16 of the post 14 is a straight portion 18 which is preferably of sufficient length to pass through a typical earlobe as shown in FIG. 3 or about 0.32 cm to 0.48 cm in length. The first transition area 20 is illustrated as a point of connection between the straight portion 18 and a downwardly extending second portion 22. The depending second portion 22 is formed so as to inhibit the earring 10 from slipping out of the pierced ear during use. The post 14 is shaped such that an angle α is created at the first transition area 20, between the straight portion 18 and the second portion 22 at the transition area 20. An angle α is formed between the straight portion 18 and the second portion 22. The angle α is sufficiently small so as to inhibit the earring 10 from sliding out of the pierced ear during use. As used herein, the angle α is an angle of about 60° to about 90°. The angle α causes the second portion 22 which is about 0.125″ or greater in length, to be oriented such that the second portion 22 preferably abuts against the backside of the user's ear lobe, thereby inhibiting the earring 10 from slipping out of the pierced ear during use.

In the preferred embodiment portion 22 forms a depending U-shape having a first end at transition area 20 and a second end at transition area 24 forming an angle of about 90° and joining a third portion 26. The second and the third portions 22, 26 are integrally joined together at the second transition area 24 and may in fact be a continuation of a single wire. The post 14 including the straight portion 18, transition portions 20 and 24 and second and third portions 22, 26 as shown all lie in the same geometric plane which facilitates easy insertion of the post 14 through the pierced ear with a simple up and down motion and securely retains the earring 10 on the earlobe. Preferably, straight portion 18 and third portion 26 are offset in the same geometric plane.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment having an alternate ornament 40 connected to a post 42 having a straight portion 44 connected at a first end 46 to the ornament 40 and extending through an earlobe E and having a transition portion 48 forming an angle of between 90 and 60 degrees. A U-shaped portion 50 has a first end at the transition portion 48 and a second end at a second transition portion 52 forming an angle of about 90 degrees and a second straight portion 54 joined to the transition portion 52.

FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment having alternate ornament 58 connected to a post 42′ having a straight portion 44′ connected at a first end 46′ to the ornament 58 and extending through an earlobe E′ and having a transition portion 48′ forming an angle of between 90 and 60 degrees. A U-shaped portion 50′ has a first end at the transition portion 48′ and a second end at a second transition portion 52′ forming an angle of about 90 degrees and a second straight portion 54′ joined to the transition portion 52′.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment having an ornament 60 connected to a post 62 having a straight portion 64 connected at a first end 66 to the ornament 60 and having a transition portion 68 forming an angle of between 90 and 60 degrees. An upstanding U-shaped portion 70 has a first end at the transition portion 68 and a second end at a second transition portion 72 forming an angle of about 90 degrees and a second straight portion 74 joined to the transition portion 72. The U-shaped portion 70 includes an ear-contacting area 76 designed to engage the ear above the pierced hole and thereby prevent the post 62 from accidentally slipping through the pierced hole. The weight of the ornament 60 also causes the ear-contacting 76 to engage the ear above the pierced hole thus assisting in the retention of the post 62 in its proper position.

FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment having an ornament 80 connected to a post 82 having a straight portion 84 connected at a first end 86 to the ornament 80 and having a transition portion 88 forming an angle of between 90 and 60 degrees with an ear contacting portion 90. An S-shaped portion 92 has a first end at the ear contacting portion 90 and a second free end 94. The ear-contacting portion 90 is designed to engage the ear above the pierced hole and thereby prevent the post 82 from accidentally slipping through the pierced hole. The S-shaped portion facilitates easy insertion of the free end 94 and sliding of the post 82 through an ear lobe with a simple up and down motion without twisting of the ornament 80 or post 82.

FIGS. 8 through 13 show additional embodiments incorporating the ear engaging post design.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as maybe applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims. 

1. A post for use with an earring, said post comprising: a) a thin, elongated first straight portion having a first end joined to an ornament and a second thin elongated portion joined to and extending from said first straight portion forming an angle of less than 90 degrees, said first straight portion being of sufficient length from said first end to said second end to extend through an earlobe; b) said second thin elongated portion extending in the same geometric plane as said first portion and extending away from said first straight portion and having a length sufficient to prevent said post from slipping through said earlobe.
 2. The post as set forth in claim 1, wherein; a) said second portion forms a U-shape having a first end connected to said first straight portion.
 3. The post as set forth in claim 2, wherein; a) said second portion having a second end connected to a second straight portion.
 4. The post as set forth in claim 3, wherein; a) all of said first straight portion, said second portion and said second straight portion lie in the same plane.
 5. The post as set forth in claim 1, wherein; a) said second portion forms a U-shape having a first end connected to said first straight portion.
 6. An earring having a post for retaining the earring on the wearer's ear, said earring comprising: a) an ornament; b) a post attached to said ornament c) said post comprising a thin, elongated first straight portion having a first end joined to an ornament and a second thin elongated portion joined to and extending from said first straight portion forming an angle of less than 90 degrees, said first straight portion being of sufficient length from said first end to said second end to extend through an earlobe; d) said second thin elongated portion extending in the same geometric plane as said first portion and extending away from said first straight portion and having a length sufficient to prevent said post from slipping through said earlobe.
 7. The post as set forth in claim 6, wherein; a) said second portion forms a U-shape having a first end connected to said first straight portion.
 8. The post as set forth in claim 7, wherein; a) said second portion having a second end connected to a second straight portion.
 9. The post as set forth in claim 8, wherein; a) all of said first straight portion, said second portion and said second straight portion lie in the same plane.
 10. The post as set forth in claim 6, wherein; a) said second portion forms a U-shape having a first end connected to said first straight portion. 